News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
| About Us News Resources
Login
Become a member
Help
Search
|
|
|
| History Lessons: The Second Age by Nilmandra | 18 Review(s) |
|---|---|
| robnrun | Reviewed Chapter: 25 on 11/22/2004 |
| Wow. Your ability to make the second age come alive is amazing. Especially effective is your portrayal of the isolation and uncertainty of Imladris, and for that matter of Lindon, at this point. I like your emphasis on the difficulties of ordinary communication and of knowing what is going on in a battle; our ease of communication and travel (even in war) is something we take for granted, but doesn't exist in Middle Earth. I hope you do write something about the Last Alliance and the death of Gil-galad at some point. Author Reply: Hello robnrun - I am glad you liked this chapter. I tried to pick five scenes of life - the intial desperation and getting settled; life going on with the baby born and a a family reunited; then a quiescent period where all appeared well - the eye of the storm; then desperation and finally help 'unlooked for'. I will be writing a little about the Last Alliance - not the battle, but maybe the events leading up to it and the aftermath. Thanks for the review! | |
| Karri | Reviewed Chapter: 25 on 11/22/2004 |
| An outstanding chapter, Nilm. It is a difficult task to cover large amounts of time in few pages, but you did a smooth job of it. There was a nicely developed feel of desperation to it, but I liked that sense that no one had given up hope and every little positive (such as the birth at the beginning, with which I especially enjoyed the differing reaction to humans and elves to death in childbirth) reinforced that hope. Author Reply: Tolkien used themes like 'help unlooked for' and 'going on without hope', and I was thinking about those things when I wrote this. The second age is so dark, and is Eriador and Eregion were wiped out, these little refuges had to seem very lonely and dark indeed. I am glad it flowed ok, as I was worried about that. Thanks for the review! :-) | |
| Jay of Lasgalen | Reviewed Chapter: 25 on 11/22/2004 |
| What a hard job Elrond had at times in founding Imladris. The constant battles and influx of wounded, the short rations, the simple logistics of it all. I love to see elves worried about basic things like plumbing! The saddest part, I think, was the mother who asked how to kill her children if she had to - and that Glorfindel could not comprehend that. I'm glad they can look forward to peace for a few years now. Author Reply: This felt like I was writing about the Dark Ages - there was little hope and they were so isolated. It was a time of hardship and sacrifice, and honestly, I am glad to be done writing that part! I am looking forward to the years of peace too. Thanks for reviewing! | |
| Nikara | Reviewed Chapter: 25 on 11/22/2004 |
| Wow! That was an amazing chapter. How many more chapters of this story are left. Just one? I hope you add soon! Author Reply: Probably two chapters left. Not much else happened in the Second Age except the Battle of the Last Alliance, and I don't think I'll get too much into that since we all know what happened. Perhaps just the aftermath, the effect of Gil-galad's death on Elrond. Thanks for revieweing! | |
| Firnsarnien | Reviewed Chapter: 25 on 11/22/2004 |
| Wow! What an awesome tale and I'm sad it's coming to an end. I was entranced by the way Imladris came about and estatic at the victory over Sauron. You have brought events to life that I could not picture when I read them in the Simirillion. When I read that book, it was hard to envision a lot of things, yet, you've done it with incredible realism! Awesome! ;) Can't wait for the next chappy! Author Reply: It is kind of neat to think that Imladris was born out of sacrifice and hardship, where the founders battled despair and hopelessness as well as all the day to day problems. It somehow makes the purpose of Imladris very special. Thanks for reviewing! | |
| Bodkin | Reviewed Chapter: 25 on 11/21/2004 |
| This is just so brilliant - it made me glad I get up so early, just so that I can read it twice. Gil-Galad's pride in his foster son is so justified - Elrond, Glorfindel, Erestor and their mix and match collection of refugees, warriors and children have performed heroically, not just in simply surviving, but in developing a force sufficient to harry and occupy the minds of the enemy. Yet, they also have the calm understanding of what their defiance might cost them. I can understand Glorfindel's mood at the idea of the mother's wanting to learn how to kill their children painlessly should the forces of Sauron arrive, but it shows a resolute determination to keep fighting until the very last. All but the very smallest children are playing their parts with incredible but very realistic maturity - and the tiny ones are providing hope for the future and a reason to carry on. The humans and elves seem to have got over their initial suspicion and are able, here in Imladris, to work together - which augurs well for the future. I loved it when Erestor brought news of their relief and Elrond discovered himself treating a Numenorean soldier. I could almost taste the euphoria when the battle ended and the king arrived. You make this whole period so interesting and the interaction between the characters is so believable, that I feel that most of what I know of the period comes from reading History Lessons. It is a huge project - but you carry it off so well. I'm going to read it again now. Author Reply: Thanks, Bodkin. These last few chapters have been hard to write, as the despair and hopelessness set in. The last part, where hope and help had arrived, was the easiest, of course. Gil-galad is right to have pride in what his officers accomplished. In my mind's eye, I saw this warrior king riding into Imladris, and instead of finding his herald and advisor and foster-son, he found a lord completely loyal to him. He sees his heir, his son, and has to let him fly. It was emotional to think about. Thanks for the review! | |
| The Karenator | Reviewed Chapter: 25 on 11/21/2004 |
| Oh, Nilmandra, this was just exquisitely done. You covered quite a span of time, but truly captured the hardships, the cooperation of men and elves, and the emotions of peace and war. You even had me believing that Imladris was doomed. Such a well written, tight chapter. I'm so impressed with your battle strategies. The end with Elrond and Gil-galad was a lovely moment. The king's pride in his herald and foster-son was so evident. I hate to be such a blatant fangirl, but...Galadriel and Celebrian are on the way! I can't wait. I want to see the look on Elrond's face. Author Reply: LOL - yes the females are coming! I am already trying to decide what their first impressions will be - of seeing Adar, Imladris, Elrond. And of course, seeing Elrond star-struck will be fun. I somehow think everyone is going to be amused, for even if Elrond never spoke of his love for her at this meeting, it will be obvious to those close to him! Thanks for reviewing. | |
| Ellie | Reviewed Chapter: 25 on 11/21/2004 |
| Yay! Another chapter to read! I'm loving this story so much! I'm off to read now. Keep up the good work! Author Reply: Thanks, Ellie! Hope you liked it. :) | |